Bacon and Eggheads

Background

The Bacon and Egghead series brings together Parliamentarians with expertise in science and engineering, to showcase outstanding Canadian research accomplishments. Its purpose is to provide unbiased insight into topical scientific issues, within a non-partisan forum. The forum represents a unique opportunity for scientists to communicate their important findings to a distinguished and influential audience.

Carbon Management Canada (CMC) was approached to provide an overview of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS).

Solution

Dr. Don Lawton presented to parliamentarians on May 13, 2021 with the focus on how CCUS plays a significant role in addressing climate change. Climate change is a global threat with rising temperatures caused by increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, linked mainly to the combustion of fossil fuels. Canada, along with many other nations, has committed to a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and at the April 2021 U.S. Climate Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau stated that Canada would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030.

Results

CCUS offers a suite of technologies to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions that promise one pathway to this new economy. Carbon capture removes carbon dioxide from flue gases at industrial facilities or even directly from the air. The captured CO2 can be converted to useful products or stored permanently deep underground. This presentation by Don focuses on the opportunities and potential barriers for implementing these technologies at a large scale in Canada.